Trial Under Way in Westminster Cross-Burning

The criminal trial of a Westminster man on charges of burning a cross at the home of a black family opened Friday, with prosecutors saying they have evidence of yet another statement in which the defendant allegedly implicates himself.

Gary Skillman faces a maximum of 21 years in prison if convicted on all charges based on the July 28 cross-burning in a mixed Westminster neighborhood.

The case in Santa Ana federal court is one of just a dozen this year nationwide in which federal charges have been brought in cross-burning cases, a Justice Department spokesman said.

On Friday, Assistant U.S. Atty. Thomas L. Umberg said an acquaintance of Skillman will testify that the defendant boasted of having lit the cross in a bid to intimidate blacks.

Earlier, Westminster police disclosed that in two separate statements, Skillman acknowledged that the cross was built in his garage from materials he owned and that he was present when it was lighted. On the day of the incident, Skillman led Westminster police to a plastic container, which allegedly contained flammable liquid used to light the cross.

Prosecutors declined to identify the witness, citing concerns for his safety. Skillman has been in custody in lieu of $50,000 bond for the past 2 months while awaiting trial.

In court papers, prosecutors stated the witness thought Skillman was joking and under the influence of drugs when he allegedly announced his plan to intimidate the family of Alvin Heisser. Skillman is alleged to have said he was “tired of having blacks” live in the neighborhood.

“I want to pop them and burn a cross in their yard so none of them move there,” Skillman, according to court documents.

Shortly after the incident, Skillman again approached the witness, saying the police were looking for him. “I told you I was gonna do it,” Skillman was quoted as saying.

“If I had other people with me at the time I could have trusted, I would have popped some caps at them and shot them,” Skillman said, according to the witness.

The trial, before U.S. District Judge J. Spencer Letts, is expected to last 2 days. A jury was selected Friday; it will begin hearing evidence on Tuesday.